Out in Toronto: March 17–23, 2016

Choice events in the city this week

A man disappears without a trace in Montreal, Quebec, in 2013. Two months later he reappears, looking just awful, at a performance space in Toronto’s Kensington Market. The proprietors take him in for some reason and make him a part of their lives — until he disappears yet again. Greg MacArthur’s new play is based on a film of the same name.

How well has history treated American novelist, poet and playwright Gertrude Stein and her partner Alice B Toklas? In this new play, the famous pair visits a modern-day theatre to ask this question of the audience: How well are we remembered? They also recount stories of their 40-year relationship and their meetings with various famous artists and writers.

Runs until Sunday, March 27, various showtimes. Buddies in Bad Times, 12 Alexander St. buddiesinbadtimes.com

Saturday, March 19

Cherry Bomb: Spring it On

A dance party for queer women and their friends takes an inventive approach to breaking the ice. The evening begins with attendees playing a variety of games — Jenga, Twister, Cards Against Humanity and more — with friends, old and new. Then, after everyone’s made nice with each other, they get up and dance to the music of DJs Recklezz, Cozmic Cat and Denise Benson.

The recurring party for big, hunky, burly, often bearded men celebrates its sixth anniversary with a bash that is festooned with sixes. It includes six DJs — B-Tech, Sumation, Mark Falco, Chez, Dwayne Minard and Deko-Ze — spinning six hours of hot beats. It also includes drag performances by the lovely Fay Slift and Scarlett Bobo (sorry — only two drag performers, not six). Oh, and there are some go-go dancers too (no idea how many of them).

This event is cryptically billed as “mystery science theatre + drunk history + Elvira x lots of booze.” It’s safe to assume this is a new recurring night where drag queens provide drunken commentary as cult classic films screen. This edition of the event includes the terrifying Allysin Chaynes and special guests (who may or may not be similarly terrifying, but it’s a safe bet they are).

8:30pm. The Royal Cinema, 608 College St. For more info, visit Facebook.

Tuesday, March 22

The Judas Kiss

One of the most puzzling things about the story of Oscar Wilde is why he allowed himself to be arrested and charged (which would ultimately lead to his death) rather than flee the country. This is the North American premiere of a new play about Wilde’s time at the Cadogan Hotel and the period after his release from prison. It includes performances by Rupert Everett and Billy Costa.

Runs until Sunday, May 1, various showtimes. The Ed Mirvish Theatre, 244 Victoria St. mirvish.com

Wednesday, March 23

Mind Games: Hypnosis, Hallucinations and Hi-Jinx

Ever wanted to be hypnotized? Or, ever wanted to definitely not be hypnotized, but to instead see a bunch of people make amusing fools of themselves? Brandon the Hypnotist takes audience volunteers on a silly, strange jaunt into the subconscious. He also explores the “super conscious” with experiments that evoke psychic connections, ESP and mentalism. Seeing is believing (or possibly not believing — that’s up to you).